111th Congress: Two states will likely have just one senator

Illinois will go weeks, possibly months, with just one US Senator, thanks to the graft-driven madness of Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Because of the drawn-out recount in Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes will likely have just one senator when the 111th Congress begins on January 6.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune explains how things are going for Democrat Amy Klobuchar as Minnestota's defacto at-large senator:

With no clear end in sight to the recount battle between Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and DFLer Al Franken, and a new Congress convening in just nine days, it is looking likely that only Sen. Amy Klobuchar will be representing the state in the Senate for at least part of January.

Already, the task of keeping up with the routine demands from Minnesotans -- from requests for veterans benefits to help with home heating issues -- is becoming a problem. The state also could be one senator short when Congress and incoming President Barack Obama embark on an ambitious national agenda in January.

Klobuchar said her office has seen a doubling of requests in the past month for basic constituent services, including calls from people who say they are reluctant to contact Coleman's office because of the uncertainty of the election outcome. Should the vacancy continue, she added, she may ask for a temporary increase in staff.

Technorati tags: politics Democrats election Republicans Minnesota Norm Coleman Al Franken DFL Blagojevich Illinois